www.myspace.com/terrordrome
www.myspace.com/vongar36
www.terrordrome.net
Born in 1980, I started at the age of 6 studying piano and classical theory in the National Conservatorium of Northern Greece. I was always interested in hitting anything that could produce a sound but it was not until the age of 14 that I took my first drum kit. Influenced at that time by Igor Cavalera, Pete Sandoval, Mike Portnoy and many others, I started practicing, totally self-taught and only by ear. Due to many years already in the music school, my acoustic hearing was really well developed. I also used to tie weights around my ankles and playing double bass on the air and practice pad, something that really helped me later with my feet dynamics.
Almost immediately I joined a power metal band thinking it was good practicing more and tying up with the rest of the members of a band. I left that band a year later and started taking things more seriously, when I joined a black metal band called Twilight (with which I have released a full-length album back in 2000), and at the same time a death metal band, Disembowel (with which I have released one full length album and 3 EPs). I continued studying on my own with the help of video tutorials and lessons. I gave many live performances with both bands with highlights the one with Mayhem back in 2001 (with Disembowel), and with Marduk and God Dethroned the same year (with Twilight). In 1997 I started my own band, Halfmoon, a black metal band, for which I also wrote all the music. In the year 2000 I joined a professional band, playing Greek traditional music, of which I am still a member. So, I had the chance to study more styles of drumming like jazz, funk and mostly folk rhythms. We tour continuously around Greece playing in many gigs and events.
From August 2006 I am also a full time member of the brutal death metal band Terrordrome, based in Thessaloniki, Greece. In November 2007 we have finished the first full length album titled “Vehement Convulsion”, in which I have combined intricate death metal techniques with jazz and folk patterns. I have already played some gigs with Terrordrome, the highlight being the one with Malevolent Creation and Pungent Stench, February 2007.
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Bill Stavrianidis Interview:
SDM: How old were you when you started playing?
Bill: I started playing drums at the age of 14. I started studying piano at the age of 6 but I always wanted to get a drum kit and start banging it hard, haha
SDM: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Bill: No, I never played in my school¢s band, I always wanted to make my own band and play the music I really liked at that time. I have studied some heavy metal genres, like power, progressive, thrash, black along with some other styles of music like jazz, funk, and traditional/folk rhythms, but I mostly like the death metal way of playing drums. It is a challenge for every drummer I think.
SDM: Who are your top 5 influences?
Bill: That is a difficult question cause a lot of great drummers inspired and influenced me but I would say that my top 5 influences are, Sean Reinert, Mike Portnoy, Pete Sandoval, Chris Lembach and Donati Vigil. Every one of them, with his unique style, had and has a great impact on my playing. I always try to be open-minded and listen to different styles of music. There are many great musicians and especially drummers out there.
SDM: Assuming that influences doesn't mean favorites, who are your favorites?
Bill: Of course my influences are my favorites too, but I am really impressed by Derek Roddy, George Kollias and Jojo Mayer. They are just inhuman and they have set the bar extremely high. I have spent many hours watching their videos with tutorials and techniques and many more to practice their stuff. Of course, as I have already said, the bar is extremely high and I have a long way in front of me, but this challenge is a great motivation. Especially Kollias, this Greek machine, is one of my favorite modern extreme drummers.
SDM: Let us know 5 CD's that are in your current rotation
Bill: These days I listen to
Emperor-Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk
Terrordrome-Vehement Convulsion
Blues Brothers
Sepultura-Arise
Obituary-Xecutioner¢s return
SDM: What do you do to warm up before a show?
Bill: I have a practice pad for my feet to warm up and of course air drumming for the hands, haha. But I always stretch my hands before warming up.
SDM: Can you remember a night you think was your best playing ever? If yes, when and where?
Bill: Of course, a very recent one. It was on January 13th when we gave a kick ass show here in Thessaloniki-Greece with Terrordrome. I always try to improve my performance and to be better show after show and that show was the best definitely.
SDM: Do you have a favorite brand of drums or cymbals?
Bill: Yes, my favorite brand of drums is the Tama Star Classic, Snare Melody Master and for cymbals the Zyldjian K series, Zyldjian 16" China Oriental, Sabian 10" China Kang.
SDM: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be…
Bill: To have strong determination and will and never give up. Always practice with metronome and a very important thing that I have learnt, is to maintain a good balance regarding your position in the drum kit. A very important factor. In addition, keep your eyes and ears open and try to push your own limits.
SDM: Who gave the best live performance you've ever seen?
Bill: The best performance I have ever seen was given by Steve Vai's drummer, Mike Mangini. It was an incredible show back in 2000. His groove is the best I have ever seen in a live performance.
SDM: If you had to stop drumming, what would you want to do with your life?
Bill: If I had to stop playing drums I would probably continue playing piano or skiing.
Acoustic Kit
Power toms: 8', 10', 12', 13', 14', 16'.
Rotto toms: 6', 8', 10'.
Snare: Snare drum 13/7', joey jordison signature 14/5'.
Cymbals: Crush: 16' zildjian projection crush, 16' k thin dark crush,14 k thin cark crush, 16'sabian hh crush.
China: 16' zildjian oriental, 12' sabian hand hammered, 10' sabian hand hammered china kang.
Splash: 8' paiste alpha, 10' paiste alpha, 10' zildjian k, 12' paiste alpha.
hi-hat: 14' quick bit.
Ride: 20' paiste 802.
Bell: 8' paiste.
Pedals: Yamaha.
v-drums
roland t-10 pads, 10'snare pad, 8'pad, 8pad, 8'pad, 8'pad, 12'cumbals pad, 12'cumbals pad, 12'cumbals pad, 8'hi-hat pad, 8'bass drum pad.
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